A message posted in group chats for towns, townships, and neighborhoods asking to collect petitions
Use of the Voluntary Crime Prevention Unit's name is prohibited in lawsuits, disputes, and conflicts
It has come to light that officials from the Seobuk-gu Voluntary Crime Prevention Unit Federation in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, are systematically collecting petitions in support of Lee Jongdam, a Cheonan City Council member who has been indicted on charges of forcibly molesting a fellow female city council member. This has sparked controversy.
With the sentencing approaching, a member of the Voluntary Crime Prevention Unit posted a message in a group chat for district leaders of towns, townships, and neighborhoods, asking them to collect petitions.
In the group chat, this official wrote, "Since 2014, Councilor Lee has made continuous efforts to increase patrol car insurance, acquisition tax, late-night meal expenses, and fuel costs. We should try to help him, even if only a little, so let's collect petitions." The message also stated, "Please gather the petitions by May 1 and bring them to the federation."
According to the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Voluntary Crime Prevention Units, there is a prohibition stating, "Members of the Voluntary Crime Prevention Unit must not participate in lawsuits, disputes, or conflicts using the unit's name."
Regarding this, one official from the Voluntary Crime Prevention Unit said, "The unit is a volunteer organization where local residents gather autonomously for crime prevention activities," and added, "I was shocked to see a message asking for petitions to help someone who has been indicted on criminal charges."
Another official pointed out, "Even if the council member helped increase the support budget, openly collecting petitions in violation of the legal prohibition is nothing but another illegal act."
The female city council member who filed the complaint against Councilor Lee stated, "On January 26, when the forcible molestation occurred, I demanded an apology from Councilor Lee, but even after three months, I have not received a sincere apology, let alone a settlement." She continued, "I want to ask the Voluntary Crime Prevention Unit who is supposed to help the victim who is enduring secondary and tertiary harm while waiting for the verdict."
Meanwhile, as of now, no petition has been submitted under the name of the Voluntary Crime Prevention Unit.
Councilor Lee is accused of intentionally pressing a specific part of a fellow female city council member's body with his elbow during a commemorative photo session on January 26 last year, after the 'GTX-C Cheonan Extension Welcome and Prompt Promotion Proposal' was passed.
On April 25, during the final hearing at the Cheonan Branch of the Daejeon District Court, the prosecution requested an eight-month prison sentence for Councilor Lee.
The sentencing hearing for Councilor Lee is scheduled to be held at 9:50 a.m. on May 13 in courtroom 301 of the Cheonan Branch of the Daejeon District Court.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
